CURIOUS PHENOMENON.
A SHEET OF FIRE. The Government Astronomer of New South Wales (Mr. H. C. Russell) received a telegram from Albury on the 4th, stating that at about half-past six o'clock in the evening a sheet of fire fell from the sky, but did not approach the earth. It appeared to be zigzag in shape, resembling a snake, and left a peculiar silvery streak of clouds behind it, which were plainly visible for some time afterwards. The course taken by the visitor was towards the west. Mr. Russell is of opinion thabthe flamooriginated from a meteor. The result of many observations shows that the average height at which meteors become visible is about 60 miles, and they disappear at an elevation of from 30 to 35 miles. Travelling through the air at a velocity of about 30 miles per hour, they are intensely heated on the surface, and if the materials are suitable a cloud is generated by surface combustion, and may remain visible for a considerable interval by means of reflected sunlight. The streak of light in the present instance being towards the west and very elevated, would serve to reflect the sunlight long after the sun had set.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9188, 18 October 1888, Page 6
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201CURIOUS PHENOMENON. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9188, 18 October 1888, Page 6
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